Please review!
No anger for this chapter please. I know some of you will love it, but others won't be so pleased. I promise that I will continue to make the story enjoyable for everyone and I will not put a ship in here that only 75% of you like for the main theme. :) You will understand. I got your back hiveluver. :D
Can I just say that being an assassin, and from the way Mark describes him, Pietor has to have one heck of some abs!
Iliana shuffled in her sleep and rolled over the next morning. She murmured something softly, slowly becoming aware of herself. She opened tired eyes and looked at the ceiling for a second. Pietor was still asleep next to her with his back facing her. His breathing was calm and he seemed peaceful enough.
Going to sleep last night was a blur. Iliana didn't remember ever brushing her teeth or reading. She inwardly shrugged and lifted her arms to stretch. Then she winced in pain as a sharp stab accompanied it in her upper arm. She twisted to inspect it and realized there was a Band-Aid covering that spot. Her eyes narrowed.
Suddenly it didn't matter if Pietor was peaceful or not. Iliana remembered blacking out as he came closer with the syringe in hand and her lips tightened. She kicked out, hitting him in the lower back.
Pietor grunted, jerking away instinctively. He hurriedly sat up and looked over at her in irritated confusion.
Iliana glared back "You big jerk."
"What?" Pietor asked.
She hit his arm and he moved back, looking at her like she was insane.
"Look." she pulled up her sleeve and showed him her arm.
"Yeah? I waited until you were asleep." Pietor said, standing up to stretch his sore back from her kick.
"Asleep?" Iliana demanded.
"Yeah." Pietor said.
"You're so mean!" Iliana practically hissed at him "You know how much I hate needles!"
"You wouldn't let me give you a shot while you were pregnant Iliana. You needed some immunity." Pietor replied.
"I hate you." Iliana growled and Pietor raised an eyebrow. She flipped over and covered herself with the covers. Pietor smiled slightly and silently exited the room.
###
"She's leaving today?" the Colonel asked, glancing over at Alexis as he walked with Nero to the main room.
Nero nodded "It was perfect timing. Although I hope Alexis was satisfied with the time and won't try to convince me to give her more."
"What does Diabolus say?" the Colonel asked, lowering his voice as they neared the others.
"He hasn't really. I don't really think he wants Nigel to leave either." Nero replied.
The Colonel couldn't argue with that.
Juliana was sitting on the floor with Shelby once again scribbling in her coloring book. She was explaining something to the student while patting Drake, who was sitting next to her, occasionally. Wing was watching both of them, eyes thoughtful and Laura was on her Blackbox.
"Who's the little girl?" the Colonel asked, looking at Juliana.
"That's Juliana. Pietor's daughter." Nero replied and the Colonel glanced at him.
"Who's the mother?"
"Iliana." Nero said and the Colonel's eyebrows rose.
Alexis walked over to the kitchen just as Raven came out.
"Where's Nigel?" Nero asked her as they met up.
"In the kitchen. Darkdoom's there too." Raven replied "And your father."
Nero nodded. Drake looked over at them, ears up. Then he hopped up and trotted over to the Colonel. Juliana looked back. Then she followed the dog as well.
"Hi my names Juliana!" she exclaimed, looking him up and down. The Colonel glanced down at her as Nero and Raven continued talking.
"What's your name?" Juliana asked, tapping on his leg and looking up at him. The Colonel looked at her, eyebrow raised, but he didn't reply that second. Juliana didn't move however and continued waiting for an answer.
"Hey Juliana." Pietor said from the kitchen "Come here and take something to mom for me."
"Be right back!" Juliana said, dashing off to the kitchen.
"I think Alexis will be okay to leave without him." Raven said, looking after the little girl "She's mostly packed up."
Nero nodded "Good."
A few seconds later, Juliana came back out of the kitchen with a cup with something hot in it. She went into Pietor's room.
"When were they married?" the Colonel asked.
"Shortly after we left last time." Nero replied. As they continued, Anastasia came down the stairs. Juliana came out of her mother's room and ran over to her.
"G'morning aunt Anastasia!" she said, reaching to take her hand.
"Good morning, Juliana. Where's your father?" she asked.
"In the kitchen. He made mommy a warm drink. I think she likes it." Juliana replied.
"I'll bet she does." Anastasia replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Why?" Iliana asked, suddenly appearing in her doorway "He only made me faint last night." she then smiled at the Colonel "Hi."
"Hi." the Colonel replied.
"Pietor meant well." Anastasia replied.
"Pietor knows I don't like needles and he's my husband so he should respect that!" Iliana said.
"He does. Holy crap you have no idea how much he does." Anastasia said, rolling her eyes "Keeping you healthy is just another way of saying I love you."
"Mmhhmm." Iliana replied, grouchily. She took a sip from her glass, still scowling.
"Alright!" Alexis called, walking out of the kitchen. She held out her arms "Gotta go chums."
###
Darkdoom opened the door to Alexis's car for her and she set in her suitcase. Nigel, him, and Nero had all gone out with her to the car for the last farewells. She slammed it shut, then turned to Nigel, smiling.
"Give me a hug."
Nigel leaned forward and they embraced for a few seconds.
"Take care okay?" she said and Nigel nodded. Alexis looked at Darkdoom, who smiled slightly.
"Alright." she said, rolling her eyes. Darkdoom smiled fully and she reached up to hug him.
"Call me when you're back home." she said, too quiet to be overheard. Darkdoom nodded as they parted.
"I don't think we need to hug." Alexis said, looking at Nero.
"Fine with me." Nero replied. She put out a hand.
"Good luck with life."
"You too, Alexis." he said, mouth curving.
"Protect my son." she said, pointing a finger at him.
"With my life." Nero replied. Alexis nodded and she opened her car door to get in.
"Goodbye!" she said, waving and they all waved back.
Darkdoom put a hand on his son's back as she drove off. Nigel glanced up at him and Darkdoom smiled down at him.
###
"So you're really not going to stay any longer?" Shelby asked Nigel in disbelief a few minutes after he came back in.
Nigel shrugged "I don't really see a reason too. I have school work I could be doing."
Iliana looked over at him, face disgusted "Who puts those words together?" she took another drink of her coffee Pietor had so sweetly made for her.
Nigel glanced at her, but Shelby spoke.
"Nigel does. And Laura occasionally." she said.
Iliana smiled slightly as Nigel shrugged self-consciously. Nero had a Shroud already prepped for Nigel to return to H.I.V.E. although he had offered the student the chance to stay for a few days. Nero didn't expect to stay any longer than that either, after all they'd been here almost two weeks and hadn't found anything. He did have other responsibilities as well. However Nigel was leaving that morning.
Nathaniel came out of the kitchen followed by Pietor and Juliana.
"Good morning, Juliana." Iliana said.
"Mommy!" Juliana said, running over "You are up."
"Hi." Pietor said. Iliana narrowed her eyes at him and picked up her daughter.
"Come on Juliana let's have some breakfast." she said, sliding past him. Pietor just turned after them, faced amused.
"There's already something made." he said.
"Someone close the door. The wind is blowing." Iliana replied, ignoring him.
"I told you." Anastasia said as the kitchen door closed.
"Shut up." Pietor replied.
"Better do something nice for her."
"I made her food. She's fine." Pietor said.
His sister turned away to the kitchen, shrugging.
"Hey hey hey." Iliana said, coming right back out. She held up a card "Look, one of my best friends from school is getting married."
"Are those their engagement pictures?" Shelby asked as Pietor made a face and turned away to sit down.
"Yes, aww they're cute." Iliana said, looking at it.
"Does that mean you're going to try and make me go to a wedding?" Pietor asked "Because that is no bueno."
"Well I might have been more sympathetic, but now I'm just annoyed so, yes, you have to go."
"I hate it when people get engaged." Pietor said.
"Why?" Darkdoom asked, although everyone else was thinking it as well. He smiled "You were engaged once."
"I did not send out creepy photos of the two of us." Pietor replied.
"These aren't creepy." Iliana said, irritably waving the paper.
"They're all creepy." Pietor said.
"Name one."
"I don't know who it was." Pietor said "But on the card picture the guy had one hand in her back pocket and I'm like you cannot do that, you are not married yet."
Iliana rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry, Pietor, when I get married I won't take creepy engagement pictures. You'll see." Shelby said.
"You're going to invite me to your wedding?" Pietor asked, scowling "Now that's creepy."."
"I would love to come, Shelby!" Iliana exclaimed "Do it!"
"I don't do weddings." Pietor said.
"But you would love my wedding." Shelby said, walking over and plopping herself next to him.
Pietor leaned away, eyebrows raised with astonishment at her casualness "Oh sure Shelby let's just get in my bubble and cuddle."
"What does that mean?" she asked, scowling.
"That means you'd better get away from me before I break your neck." Pietor growled. The student slowly stood up and backed away.
"Gosh, I'm sorry." she muttered.
"Max, can I kill her?" Pietor asked.
"I think you're being mean enough already." Nero replied with a slightly mischievous smile.
"Oh. Thank you." Iliana said, holding out a fist to him. Nero hit it without looking away from Pietor.
"Yeah?" the assassin asked "Who's the control freak in the room?"
"Explain to me exactly how I'm a control freak." Nero said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh no, I wouldn't want to ruin your self-confidence." Pietor replied sarcastically "School teachers tend to get offended easily."
"Oooohhhhhh." Shelby covered her mouth, looking at both of them.
"Don't let him get away with that." Iliana said, nudging Nero "Kick his ass."
"I think that sensitivity comes from spending all your time around teenagers. You've become one." Pietor said.
"Well at least I have a reason." Nero replied. Pietor raised an eyebrow.
"Oh please, Max, just admit-"
"Admit what? That you're a female dominated man?" Nero asked, looking as though he was just suppressing a laugh.
"Oooohhhhh." this time almost everyone in the room joined in.
"Holy crap." Darkdoom said, not sure whether to laugh or break them apart.
Pietor just gaped for a few seconds, eyes narrowed.
"Well done, Max." Iliana said, reaching to shake his hand.
"Thank you." Nero shook it firmly once, before returning his attention back to Pietor.
"You know maybe Alexis shouldn't have left. I could have had someone to share my dislikes with." the assassin said and Nero raised an eyebrow "Fine. I can see when I'm not wanted. I'll go find better company." he got up and walked toward the kitchen, ignoring them.
"Juliana?" Iliana asked "Are you serious?"
"She's nicer than you." Pietor replied, pushing open the door.
"She's also nicer than you." Iliana said, folding her arms.
Pietor didn't reply and Iliana frowned.
"He wants Alexis back? Gee thanks for the loyalty Pietor." she muttered.
"You and Max just drove him away, what do you expect?" Nathaniel asked, although he sounded more amused than anything.
"Yeah I guess that was pretty mean." Nero said, smiling "I'm glad Anastasia wasn't out here to hear that."
"Why, Max? Are you female dominated as well?" his father asked, shaking his head slightly and going to follow Pietor.
Darkdoom smacked Nero across the chest with a smile.
Iliana was still looking disgruntled "What did he mean by that?"
"By what?" Darkdoom asked, glancing at her.
"He wants Alexis back."
The Colonel rolled his eyes and Darkdoom chuckled.
"You were just insulting him for giving you a shot yesterday."
"Yeah but..." Iliana scowled "He's not supposed to be offended."
"Oh Iliana he's not really." Darkdoom said, still smiling.
"He totally just said he'd rather be with Alexis than me." Iliana replied.
"He didn't mean it like that." Darkdoom said "Trust me, if the two of them were together, they would tear each other apart."
"Then why'd he say it?" Iliana asked.
"Because he knows Alexis likes to bug Max."
Iliana let out a deep breath through her nose and turned towards her room.
"Really, Iliana, Pietor's as loyal as can be!" Darkdoom called after her. Iliana didn't reply.
"My word." Raven said "She's sensitive."
"She's Iliana." Nero replied.
"Do they fight like this often?" the Colonel asked.
"Oh never. They're usually a bit more playful. Pietor gave her her vaccinations last night and made her faint." Darkdoom said "So naturally she's a little sore."
"She fainted?" the Colonel asked.
All three of them nodded and he rolled his eyes slightly.
"You know you would think that marrying an assassin would mean you're rather accustomed to things like that." he said.
"Well, that's true, but I think that Pietor needs someone he can protect." Darkdoom said.
"And Alexis would not fit that roll very well." Nero added.
"For the most part." Darkdoom said, scowling at him "Gee Max, thanks for the compliment. I did die to keep her safe for a few years."
"That you did." Nero replied. The kitchen door swung back open.
"Hey Iliana, Juliana wants-" Pietor scowled "Where'd she go?"
Darkdoom chuckled, then tried to look up with a serious face. "She thinks you're in love with Alexis."
Pietor's scowl sank deeper "What?"
"Yeah, she went back to your room." Darkdoom said, pointing with a thumb. He smiled "Might want to go check on her."
The assassin rolled his eyes and let out an irritable sigh. He walked over, muttering.
"Me, the assassin, in love with Diabolus Darkdoom's ex-wife. How likely."
"Are you meaning that as an insult?" Darkdoom asked after him.
"No of course not." Pietor replied, going into his room.
"When is Pietor trying not to insult someone?" Nero asked.
"Agreed." Darkdoom said.
"Oh gosh!" Laura said irritably, jerking her Blackbox "I can't get this."
Shelby scowled and leaned over "What are you trying to do?"
"Something for a class."
"Which class?" Shelby asked.
"Professor Pikes." Laura replied "But I can't get this to work."
"The Professor's so disorganized he won't notice anything, Brand." Shelby said, before glancing at Nero, who raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, good job Laura, get your assignment done a few weeks early." Shelby corrected.
A few seconds, Iliana came back out of her room and Pietor followed her.
Darkdoom smiled as they walked past to the kitchen "They are the most insane couple. One second they hate each other and the next they're best friends again."
"I always thought the same about you and Alexis." Nero said, sliding past him.
"Except for the best friend part." Raven added.
Darkdoom just shot them a look. Nero followed Pietor and Iliana into the kitchen and they went after him.
Juliana was repeatedly stirring her bowl of oatmeal Anastasia had made for her. She did it slowly so none spilled out and she looked very concentrated. As they came in she looked up.
"Hi, Max!"
"Hello Juliana." Nero replied.
"Talya." Juliana said, looking as though she was hiding a mischievous smile, which made Darkdoom choke back a laugh.
"Hi." Raven said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Juliana covered her mouth, eyes big.
Iliana was still going through the mail as she glanced up "Eat your breakfast Juliana."
"I want to feed Prince." Juliana said.
"Well when do you get to do that?"
"After I eat." the little girl replied.
"Exactly, now wow." Iliana broke off, looking at one of the advertisements "Whoa there's like this new indoor swimming place."
"Swimming?" Juliana squealed.
Anastasia looked at Iliana "You fool."
Juliana jumped off her seat and ran over to Pietor, buzzing with excitement. She grabbed onto his leg, making Pietor stagger slightly.
"Daddy, Mommy said there is a place to go swimming! I want to go swimming! Can we go swimming please?"
"Whoa." he said "Hold up."
"I haven't been swimming in so long." Iliana said.
Juliana squealed again and ran over to her mother, eyes wide.
"Dude let's go Pietor." Iliana said.
"Today?"
"Yeah." Iliana said "Come on!"
Juliana looked at Pietor, mouth open. She was buzzing with excitement.
The assassin shrugged "Do what you like."
"Well you're coming too." Iliana replied. She looked at the others with a big smile on her face "Want to come?"
"I'll pass, but have fun." Nero replied.
"Well I'm pretty sure Shelby will want to go so you'll want to go to watch her, no?" Iliana asked.
"Actually we have an accommodating recreational room at H.I.V.E." Nero replied "So she may not be interested."
"Oh she will. She will love to come with me. I'm the best." Iliana said.
###
"Please, Dr. Nero?" Shelby asked, now just sounding irritated.
Nero just shook his head.
"Come on, it's literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to have fun and spend time with us." Iliana said "Don't be a party poop."
"We can even have a water polo tournament if you want." Shelby added.
Juliana looked at Nero intently from Pietor's lap on the couch. Her hair was up in two ponytails and they were sticking up right now to any viewer's amusement.
"You know I didn't really think we were going to come back here with the three students ever again, but look what happened. I think you'll meet again, Iliana." Nero replied.
"I think you should loosen up." Iliana said "You know?" she rolled back her shoulders.
"I can take them." Darkdoom said as Nero merely looked at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Oh I already knew you were coming." Iliana said, waving a hand "And Natalya."
"I never said yes." Raven replied.
"Well Nero always sends you off for babysitting, so I just assumed…"
"I didn't say that they could go." Nero said.
Iliana rolled her eyes "I wasn't arguing for them. I'm taking them no matter what. I was trying to persuade you to come."
Nero rubbed his eyes with a weary chuckle "Just don't expect me to swim, please."
"Yes!" Iliana said, pumping a fist into the air. Then she looked at Raven "Oh but Natalya you'll swim won't you?"
"No."
Iliana deflated in annoyance "Really?"
"I don't even have a swimsuit." Raven said.
"You can borrow one of mine."
"I am not wearing a swimsuit."
"Why not? A girl in your shape should be strutting off her stuff." Iliana replied.
"No thanks." Raven said.
Iliana sighed "Fine, but you're missing out."
"Yeah they'll be guys there." Shelby said.
"Not guys that you know." Iliana pointed out.
"You just encouraged Raven to strut her stuff, why not me?" Shelby asked.
"Go ahead." Iliana said "Just be careful."
"Why? I used to go swimming all the time and I would randomly meet new guys in the pool." Shelby replied, shrugging "It's super fun."
"The male of the species is a predator, Shelby." Pietor said "Don't get trapped."
"What does that even mean?" Shelby asked irritably as Iliana rolled her eyes.
"Just ignore him. He likes to bang on his sex." she said.
###
Around an hour later…
"Mommy hurry!" Juliana said, pulling on her mother's arm. They were walking up to the building with the indoor pool and apparently the speed was not to Juliana's liking.
"Hold your horses." Iliana said, holding her hand tightly "Don't run in the parking lot."
"I want to swim." Juliana informed her.
"And we'll get there."
Juliana just looked far too enthusiastic to wait and she went over to Raven, holding out a hand.
"Want to run with me?"
"No. I just said don't run." Iliana said, before Raven could reply.
Juliana quickened her pace slightly, not disobeying her mother, just pushing her buttons. She began to spin around, arms spread, while turning.
A car came turning around the other cars to exit the parking lot and Juliana didn't seem to see it at first.
"Ah, Pietor. Pietor." Iliana said, hitting him.
"What? She's fine, they can see her." Pietor said.
"Please pick her up until we get her inside. She's going to get killed."
"You say it as if you asked me to do it already." Pietor replied, walking after his daughter.
"Pietor you have to read her mind, remember?" Anastasia said.
"Shush." Iliana said, scowling at the older woman.
Juliana squealed as Pietor snatched her and swung her under one arm. She started wiggling until Pietor put her up on his shoulders.
"I swear one day she'll just run in the middle of the street and get hit." Iliana said.
"Pietor wouldn't let that happen." Anastasia replied.
"When I have children, I will never let them out of my sight." Shelby said.
"Alexis tried that." Darkdoom said, then shook his head slightly "You kind of learn not to suffocate them."
"Is that why Nigel's so quiet?" Raven asked.
"Are you saying I suffocated him?" Darkdoom asked, sounding amused.
"Are you saying I suffocate my kid?" Iliana asked him.
Darkdoom smiled "No, ma'am."
"Good. Because I would have had Pietor maim you." Iliana replied, walking ahead.
They met up with them when Pietor pulled open the door for all them. Juliana reached forward to touch each one of their heads, giggling each time.
Her father set her down as they walked in and Juliana immediately gasped. She ran forward, looking at a little blow-up duck hanging from the ceiling.
"Mommy look!" she exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, that's cute huh?" Iliana replied.
"There's a bigger one over there, Juliana." Pietor said, gesturing at another blow-up.
The little girl gasped and went over to it. Iliana looked at Pietor, scowling.
"What?" he asked.
###
Iliana set her bag down on the chair and tossed her towel over it. Juliana waited beside her, bouncing up and down in her pink suit. She had on a little life jacket and was more than ready to get in. Pietor was next to her, also in his suit already.
The swimming pool luckily didn't look very crowded. There were a few people in it, but the kid pool was virtually empty.
Nero, Raven, Anastasia, Nathaniel and Darkdoom sat in the food area where they were able to watch, but avoid the predictable splashes that soaked every other observer.
Pietor was walking toward the little pool with Juliana. She was gripping his hand and waving excitedly at her mother. Iliana took off her cover up and went to put it with her stuff. Then she followed them over.
Shelby and the others were testing the water in the big pool, making sure it was to their liking.
Juliana walked down the steps and slowly got in the water.
"Is it cold?" Iliana asked, watching her. The little girl shook her head quickly and splashed in. The water was about two feet deep if that and Juliana was able to wade around in it.
Pietor tossed in her inflated duck "There you go."
"Hey Anastasia!" Iliana called.
"What?"
"Can you watch Juliana for me and make sure she doesn't drown?"
Anastasia nodded "Gotcha covered."
Iliana gave her a thumbs up. Pietor suddenly scooped her up and her eyes shot open in surprise. He turned around and sprinted to the other pool. Juliana turned and watched as her father jumped into the water, Iliana still in his arms. She shrieked just before they went under water and the resounding splash followed.
Juliana clapped, sending drops of water flying. Shelby joined in as Iliana came back to the surface with a loud gasp. Pietor followed.
"Ahh! It's freezing!" Iliana said, as she waved her arms and legs to stay afloat. She splashed Pietor, eyes narrowed playfully.
Juliana was already up and out of her pool and was running over to them.
"Catch me, Daddy!" she said, stopping at the edge.
Pietor held out his arms as the little girl jumped. He didn't let her go underwater when she landed.
Juliana looked down when she realized her feet were not touching solid ground. She looked at Pietor "It's too deep!"
###
About an hour later…
"You're looking a little too relaxed over there, Max, I think we need to get you back to your school." Nathaniel said, looking at his son with amused eyes.
Nero opened one eye from his comfortable sitting position.
"I think he's about the only man in the world that can relax at a public swimming pool." Darkdoom said.
"Is this any less hectic than H.I.V.E.?" Nathaniel asked, pointing out the fact that Nero worked in these circumstances all the time.
"Well the students are doing their own thing and there's no particular impending doom so…" Nero shrugged.
"Unless Shelby gets irritating and Pietor accidently drowns her." Darkdoom replied.
"Well Pietor's pretty precise so I think if anything was to happen it would be on purpose." Anastasia said.
She glanced back at the others in the pool just as Iliana was climbing out. She walked over to the chairs and grabbed her towel before walking over to them.
"Hey." she said, waving her hand once and going to sit next to them "How you guys doing?"
Water dripped off her head from her slicked back hair and Iliana pulled her rubber band off her wrist to tie it up.
"Doing fine." Anastasia replied "Did Juliana drown?"
"No, Pietor's staying with her for now." Iliana said "I feel like we should eat food."
"Well Pietor gave me his wallet." Anastasia said, holding up the brown leather "Go get something."
"He literally gave you his whole wallet?" Darkdoom asked, smiling slightly "He's brave."
"Well he didn't put enough money in it for me to really buy anything." Anastasia replied with a shrug "I mean not that I would like to purchase anything at a swimming pool, but..."
"Okay give me money, I want food." Iliana said and Anastasia tossed the wallet over to her.
"By the way dude that pool is amazing. About every ten minutes it turns into a wave pool and it's super fun." Iliana went on "You gotta try it."
She didn't wait for a reply as she turned over to the food bar.
"She really is fun-oriented isn't she?" Nathaniel asked, looking after her in amusement "I can never predict her actions."
"You grow accustomed to it." Anastasia replied.
"You can't accustom yourself to unpredictability." Nathaniel said "Because you never know what you're going to have to grow accustomed too."
Anastasia shrugged. The bell went off from the pool area, a warning that told them the wave pool was about to begin.
Juliana clapped, before grabbing her father's arm. Pietor looked down at her.
"Do you want to try riding the waves?" he asked "It's more fun than if I lift you up."
"Yes!" Juliana said, nodding intently. He let her go just as the big waves started up. The first one came and she went up with it perfectly fine.
Pietor rolled his eyes slightly in amusement as Juliana just about shrieked in pleasure, throwing handfuls of water.
The second wave came and the little girl, obviously feeling overexcited, went head first into it. The water covered her head and her life jacket immediately tried to pull her up. But the water pulled back for the next wave and Juliana was sucked right back under.
Strong hands pulled her out suddenly and Juliana broke the surface with a huge gulp of air. Pietor couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she squeezed his arms desperately in an attempt to get out of the water. Her eyes were red from the chlorine and she took in breaths like she'd been deprived for years.
As she started crying rather loudly, Pietor got out of the water with her. But Juliana pushed against his chest and kicked her legs until he set her down. Then she ran over to the food area and over to Iliana, who turned in surprise. Juliana hugged onto her leg, sobbing hysterically.
Iliana looked over at him as if she was personally offended. Pietor held out his arms indignantly.
"Nice job!" Anastasia called for him. Her brother rolled her eyes and walked over.
"She told me she could ride the waves." he said "So I let her."
"What happened?" Iliana asked, picking up Juliana and coming over.
"She went underwater and it freaked her out." Pietor replied.
"You let her go underwater?" Iliana asked.
"It wasn't really on purpose, but sure. Yeah I did." Pietor said.
"Gee thanks Pietor, you probably just gave her an irrational fear of water." Anastasia said.
"Probably." Pietor said, struggling not to smile at his daughter.
"Are you alright? Did you breathe any in?" Iliana asked, looking at Juliana's face.
"No. The water's too big!" Juliana cried.
"Do you want to go in the little pool then?" Iliana asked "Or do you want something to eat?"
The little girl rubbed her red eyes with a wrist and sniffed "I want to go in the little pool."
"Okay, let's go." Iliana said, setting her down.
"Are you mad at me?" Pietor asked, looking down at Juliana as they walked past.
She wiped her eyes again and shook her head.
"Oh good."
###
Later that evening…
After they were done swimming and completely showered off, the group left the pool place and were now walking across the very large parking lot to their car. Juliana was spinning in circles while still walking forward along with them and she didn't appear to be getting dizzy at all.
"I think we should really consider getting an indoor pool." Iliana said, sounding like she was in deep thought.
Anastasia sniffed in amusement "Have fun paying for that."
"Not like now. Just in the far distance future and stuff." Iliana said.
"Wouldn't you rather vacation somewhere?" Anastasia asked.
"That is fun too." Iliana agreed.
"Dr. Nero?" Shelby asked.
"Yes, Miss Trinity?" Nero responded.
"Out of everything to have at H.I.V.E., why a swimming pool?" she asked.
"Did you want a running pool?" Pietor asked, sounding slightly cantankerous.
"God, no." Shelby said in annoyance.
Nero chuckled "Oh I don't know, why not?"
Shelby shrugged.
"It's nice being a fifth year student." Laura said "You get extra respect and you can show all the younger kids the ropes."
"I remember our first year some older Alpha told us Hivemind's nickname was Big Blue." Shelby said "It's nice to pass that along." she sighed thoughtfully "It'll be interesting, leaving that place."
"Won't you just work for G.L.O.V.E.?" Iliana asked.
"A number of students go on to fulfill their own goals." Nero said.
"Is there anyone who went to H.I.V.E. on the G.L.O.V.E. counsel?" Iliana asked "That sounds like a good job for Shelby."
"I forget how much you know about G.L.O.V.E." Nero said thoughtfully.
"Hey, whoa." Iliana said, holding up her hand indignantly "Just because I'm not out there fighting every day, doesn't mean I don't know anything. You must forget who my step-father was."
Nero shrugged slightly "I guess he was rather vocal about his dislike of the organization."
Juliana was about ten feet in front of them now, still spinning.
"Hey Jewels. Slow down." Iliana said "Don't you remember? Gabdin like literally despised it, although I never really knew why, I just knew I was supposed to hate it."
"What was his grudge?" Raven asked.
"Nothing. If you weren't working under him, you were an enemy." Iliana said "So him being part of the Convit was pure gold. Until they got all greedy and turned into jerks." she narrowed her eyes "Juliana! Come here!"
The little girl didn't seem to hear her and continued spinning. She suddenly bumped right into a rather tall, dark-haired man and stumbled back. Iliana quickened her pace.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart-" the man's familiar voice seemed to catch in his throat and he looked up, eyes wide.
"What's your name?" Juliana asked, hands on her hips.
"Sorry, sir-" Iliana said and broke off with a gasp. She stepped back just as the others came up too.
"David?" she said in disbelief. Pietor and the others stared.
He looked back at them, eyes wide with horror.
Iliana tried to speak, but nothing would come out.
"How are you…" for once even Pietor remained speechless and David backed up.
"Look…forget you saw me." he said, sounding desperate.
"What?" Iliana asked breathily.
"You didn't see me here." he said, still taking steps backward. Nero's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did so." Juliana said indignantly.
"David what-how are you here? What are you doing?" Pietor demanded.
"Please just go." David begged.
"What is going on?" Iliana asked. She just looked mortified "You-you were dead."
Raven stared at the man in front of them, eyes open wide. His eyes flicked to her for a second, but then back to Pietor.
"I can't explain now. Just go." David said anxiously.
"Not until you tell us what's going on." Pietor said.
"I can't tell you anything." David replied "I have to leave."
He looked panicked, yes, but he also looked exhausted and flustered.
"Why?" Anastasia asked, her voice demanding as well.
"Anastasia, please just go." David said "You don't understand!"
"You're right we don't." Pietor said, his voice slightly sharp "So tell us."
David backed up and suddenly sprinted across the pavement. Pietor started running after, but realized David was getting in a little silver car. The others went right over to the truck as the assassin got in.
"Watch which way he goes, I'm following him." Pietor said quickly, starting the car. He pushed the gas hard, speeding out of the parking lot.
"He's right there." Anastasia said, pointing ahead of them. The car's engine revved as they sped up. David took a sharp right and Pietor followed without slowing. The silver car in front of them picked up speed quickly.
Pietor's eyes were narrowed as he weaved past what little traffic there was on the road.
"Where do you think he's headed?" Iliana asked.
"I don't know, but we're damn well not letting him go." Pietor growled.
"He went left." Anastasia said, gesturing quickly.
"He's trying to lose us." Raven said. They raced past other cars still trying to catch up to David. He sped through a yellow light and Pietor didn't stop either.
Iliana pulled Juliana back into her seat and buckled her in "Stay there and don't move."
The car turned sharply and they held onto the seats until they were going straight again.
Iliana's phone suddenly went off and she grabbed it.
"It's David!" she exclaimed, answering it "David what are you doing?"
"Iliana please listen to me." came his voice from the other end "You have to stop following me. If you don't, you're all going to end up dead."
"We're not going anywhere!" Iliana snapped.
"Iliana! You don't know what you're getting into!" David said, sounding almost angry "Tell Pietor to stop the car."
"Just stop and talk to us." Iliana said "What is going on? Why are you running from us?"
But the line went dead and Iliana pulled down her phone. David's car went left at the last possible second so Pietor had to slam on the brakes rather than risk flipping the car.
###
Pietor shut the door behind them as the he walked into his home. The others solemnly walked over to the couches and Iliana gently patted Juliana.
"Go get your pajamas on."
The little girl turned to race up the stairs and Iliana continued typing on her phone.
"Is he replying to anything?" Pietor asked, looking over at her.
"No. Now it's saying his number isn't connected." Iliana said.
Raven also looked up from her phone and nodded. Pietor didn't say anything, but sat down. The others did the same after a minute.
It took a few seconds, but Darkdoom spoke what they were all thinking.
"You don't think it's him sending the threats, do you?" he asked quietly.
"He wouldn't." Iliana said anxiously, but no one else said anything.
###
"No!" Pietor yelled. He pulled his own trigger, now shooting to kill, but the President was already moving. The bullet skimmed his arm as he took off down the hall.
Time slowed as Pietor sprinted over to David and slid to a halt next to him. Blood was everywhere.
David gasped in a breath, eyes wide with shock and the comprehension of what had just happened.
Pietor jammed his hands down on the wound "Come on, bud, talk to me."
David opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"Come on. You're alright. You're fine." Pietor said, pressing down hard "It's not bad. It's not bad. You're okay."
There wasn't a reply.
"David." Pietor said despairingly.
David sighed and gave a weak smile. Pietor stopped, looking down at his friend.
David held the smile "You're so serious, Pietor."
Then with a final breath, he closed his eyes.
Please Review!